Principal's Medal - Jasmin Hinds

I would now like to introduce the Principal’s Medal. This award was inaugurated thirteen years ago with a gift from three anonymous donors and is supported by Ede and Ravenscroft, believed to be the oldest firm of tailors and robe-makers in the world. The award of the Principal’s Medal recognises students who display exceptional endeavour and achievement during their time at St Andrews. The awards are open to final-year undergraduates and postgraduates in any discipline, and the achievements celebrated are both academic and extra-curricular.

For this academic year, the Principal’s Medal is being awarded to two outstanding students. Today we recognise Jasmin Hinds, who gained her PhD in August of this year.

Jasmin has a record of exceptional academic achievement, having secured a first-class degree undergraduate degree from the University of Sussex, and a Master’s with Distinction from City University London. She joined us here in St Andrews when she was awarded the School of Management PGR Scholarship in 2016 to for her research study entitled Exploring the experiences of Black men in UK Higher Education: A comparative study.

Jasmin’s thesis was described by her nominators as ‘by any standard, an exceptional piece of work’. Her analysis was described by her supervisors as ‘robust and nuanced’ and provided excellent recommendations to address the ethnic retention and attainment gap in UK higher education as it pertains to Black men.

The context in which she produced this thesis is important as it demonstrates her incredible ability, resilience, and persistence.. As well as undertaking her doctoral research, she was, and continues to be, Associate Director for the Centre for Research in Equality, Diversity and Inclusion and a Project Manager in Equalities where she works to identify, promote, and embed evidenced-based EDI initiatives and cultivate a culture of inclusion at the University.

Her service to the University within the area of equalities has been nothing short of excellent. She has been demonstrated outstanding leadership qualities and acted a genuine ambassador for our core values. In fact, such is Jasmin’s track record of achievement on equalities at St Andrews, that she was one of the first members appointed to the Race Equality Charter Self-Assessment Team when it was formed in early 2022, lending her passion and leadership skills to this important submission.

Amazingly, on top of all of these achievements, Jasmin also developed a range of natural healthcare products in her spare time, and she is currently in the process of bringing these products to market as part of her own small business. She speaks eloquently on the origins of her products in her family heritage, and this emerging entrepreneurial streak is yet another string to her bow.

Jasmin’s dedication to research, her passion for equalities and her unflinching drive to make higher education better for all is testament to her exceptional character. She always goes above and beyond, and has gained the respect of everyone who has had the pleasure of working with her.

Jasmin, in recognition of your superlative accomplishments during your time as a postgraduate student here at St Andrews, it gives me great pleasure to bestow upon you the Principal’s Medal.